Volume 5
Chapters
Story
Chapter 17: The Forsaken
Yen Sid says he had been waiting to meet Rei for a long time, mentioning that the King had advised her to see him following the events of Castle Oblivion. With a smile, he tells her that he sees a lot of similarities between her and the King. He wasn't the most obedient. After all, the star shard was originally stolen by Mickey from him. She apologizes and tells them she needed to take some time for herself before she could properly face him. There are still a lot of things she wanted to process and understand. Yen Sid tells her she doesn't need to be worried about him telling the king about her involvement with the heartless. He assumed that she would want to explain it to Mickey herself, and simply assured her safety to him.
Rei thanks him for giving her the chance to explain herself, but she doesn't think she's ready to tell the king. Yen Sid reassures her that she is allowed time to understand the darkness inside of her. She should not compare her progress or her methods to someone like Riku, who has. much different personality and set of experiences. What works for Riku won't necessarily work for her, and she should understand that healing takes patience. Yen Sid tells her how she decides to handle the darkness is her own decision, but he'd like to help her find the root of her problem and see what exactly is plaguing her heart.
To unlock the secrets of her heart, Yen Sid summons his keyblade. Rei is startled, but Yen Sid assures her that he can view into her heart without harming her. As Mickey's former teacher, Rei gives him her trust, and he casts a spell to put her to sleep. Using his keyblade, Yen Sid enters into Rei's Dive into the Heart. The Harrowing Wail appears, identifying the intruder. No matter how much Yen Sid tears away at the shadow, it seems to always come back. As they're battling, he spots the white hair figure hiding within the darkness, and he redirects his attacks towards the heartless' source. He breaks through its defenses and manages to hit the girl, revealing a Nightmare symbol on her back. As he prepares for his next attack, he realizes that there is crack in the ground. The girl taunts him, saying to be careful. If he destroys her, he destroys Rei. Yen Sid demands to know whether she is a nobody or a dream eater and what her purpose is. She says she is both the nobody that was never meant to exist and the nightmare of Rei's worst memories, yet she has become her own being. Rejected from the Realm of Light, from the Realm of Darkness, and even from her other other half. She calls herself Rin the Forsaken. Yen Sid casts a bind spell on her, claiming that though he cannot defeat her, he can weaken her influence over Rei. Rin laughs at the futility, saying that Rei's rejection will only make her stronger. Once there is an opportunity of weakness, Rei's body will become hers. The time Yen Sid has in Rei's heart runs out, and he is returned to the real world.
Rei eventually awakens. Yen Sid asks if she is alright since she has been resting for a few hours. Rei admits that it was the best sleep she has ever gotten, and asks if he was able fix her. With regret, Yen Sid tells her that though he managed to weaken it, the tampering of her being cannot be easily undone. By having the Nightmare fuse with Rei's nobody, it has seized half of her memories, thus half of her being. If he were to destroy the Nightmare directly inside of her, it could lead to unforetold consequences. If he were to extract it manually, it could severely damage her heart and create a dangerous embodiment of extracted darkness (similar to Vanitas). He tells her that the only solution may be for her to lose her heart again and release her nobody, but that is a risk he is not willing to gamble with. If the power of darkness overwhelms Rei, Rin's conscious may completely take over. Yen Sid requests that she stay a while longer with him so he may monitor her well-being, and she agrees to his terms. Rei reassures him that she is confident in the path she is taking now, and will not be tempted by the darkness.
Chapter 18: A Selfish Request
Arriving at the mansion in Twilight Town, Rei looks up to see Naminé looking at her from the window. She smiles and waves, and Rei does the same. Naminé greets her, and suggests that she meet with DiZ. Riku had just returned from retrieving Sora's nobody, and they must begin preparations immediately.
Rei goes to check back in with DiZ and Riku, seeing a hooded figure in the transporter knocked out. They catch her up on what has happened, and what they need to do. If they do not act quickly, the Organization will find and destroy them before Sora wakes up. They are already on their trail. Curious, Rei goes to the hooded figure to check out their face, but is shocked to see that it's an injured Roxas. Angry and confused, she confronts them and demands an explanation. Riku states that the mission was to retrieve him at all costs. Sora's progress had been brought to a halt, and the only way to restore him is to return Roxas to him. DiZ tells her to take away Roxas' coat, for he won't be needing it in the simulated Twilight Town. He will need to live a new life there in order hide his presence from the Organization. Rei takes his coat and puts it on herself as she walks out of room, determined to not let Roxas go in alone.
Rei enters the white room and asks Naminé if there is any way for her to alter her memories so that Roxas and her are friends in his new life. Naminé is hesitant and warns Rei of the consequences. She does technically have power over Rei's memories through her connection with Roxas, but the links are weak and irreversible. She has already seen the damage that can be caused by directly altering memories, and it could add more stress on Rei's heart than she can handle. Rei ignores this and continues to beg Naminé to change her memories to fit within Roxas' new ones. She justifies this as a way to blend in with the program and allowing her to be close to Roxas in case enemies attack. Naminé is still reluctant, but agrees to do it.
Rei returns to the basement as DiZ and Riku are sending Roxas into the simulated town. She demands that she be sent in with him, arguing that she'd be able to provide extra protection from within the program itself. She pointed out the weaknesses and flaws DiZ had originally mentioned to her during development. DiZ is suspicious of Rei's intentions, but does agree with her proposal. He warns her that if she disobeys any order he gives her, he will eject her from the program and have Naminé erase every memory she has of Roxas. He will not tolerate traitors. She agrees to his conditions and is sent to the simulated Twilight Town.
Roxas wakes up in his bedroom, the morning sun beaming down on his face. He recalls the strange dream from the night before. After getting ready, there's a knock on his door. His best friend, Rei, teases him for waking up late. Together, they go to meet up with Hayner, Pence, and Olette at the Usual Spot.
Chapter 19: The First Day
The group is venting their frustrations about the local thief. Roxas suggests they go to clear their names, and it inspires the group to find the real culprit, especially after their own photo was stolen. Shortly after they begin their search, the run into Seifer, who believes they're the thieves. When Roxas wins, Pence takes a victory photo, which is suddenly stolen by a Dusk. Rei instantly recognizes the nobody, but before she can pursue it herself, Roxas runs after it. Panicked, Rei chases after him, asking DiZ what he wants her to do. He orders her not to reveal herself, but to ensure the nobody is disposed of.
Roxas chases the nobody to the abandoned mansion and tries to fight off the monster to no avail. Rei prepares to enter the battle, but to her surprise, the Keyblade breaks through the programming and into Roxas' hands. He manages to defeat the Dusk and several photos fall to the ground. DiZ reassures Rei that by converting Roxas into data, the weaker nobodies cannot tell the difference between a photo and the real thing. He tells her to continue to have her guard up since they are already on their trail. She waits for the Keyblade to disappear, and then runs towards Roxas from the woods, asking if he's okay. He asks her if she saw anything, but she shakes her head no. When he asked her where the rest of the group was, she said they probably lost track of them as they were chasing the thief. Despite his confusion, they decide to go back to the group with the stolen photographs.
The group discuss the strangeness of the thief and all of the Roxas photos, but cut their conversation short when the evening bells ring from the clocktower. The group decide to call it a day and meet up tomorrow like usual. Roxas and Rei are the last ones to leave, but when Roxas looks to the sky and grows dizzy. Rei catches him as he passes out. Worried, Rei calls out to him, but he is unresponsive. Riku appears and tells her that it is the effects of Sora's memories, and they both bring him home.
Rei goes to the white room and sits at the table where Naminé continues to draw unfazed. Rei begins to apologize. She said that she now realizes what Naminé was saying. She knew from the beginning, but chose to do it anyways. Talking to Roxas made her so happy. Being his friend made her so happy. But the whole time, she was filled with guilt. She is lying to him and deceiving him. Rei then apologizes to Naminé. Despite knowing her past, despite knowing how her and her powers were abused, she ended up doing the same thing to her. She took advantage of her and her friendship. She then used her to get closer to Roxas, who she is ultimately using for her own selfish intentions as well. Her actions were unacceptable and there is no excuse. After everything Naminé has done, Rei ended up being just like everyone else. She is ashamed and sorry. Naminé is at Rei's side as she begins to cry. She thanks her for her sincere apology. She tells her that if she wants to make it up to Roxas, she has the power to tell him the truth. However, they both know that if he were to unlock his old memories too soon, it would be easier for the Organization to find them. Naminé reminds Rei that the time he has is short, and every which way they go about it, it will be a painful realization for him. No matter what happens, Naminé will do anything to restore Sora. That is what she is meant to do and she will not change that. They both agree that it is best that Roxas hears the truth, for that may be the only thing that could bring him peace.
References
Original Characters
Rei • Rin The Forsaken
Kingdom Hearts Characters
Naminé • DiZ • Riku • Roxas • Hayner • Pence • Olette
Final Fantasy Characters
Disney Characters
Locations
Mysterious Tower • Twilight Town • Simulated Twilight Town